Mold.



PATENTED JUNE 21 M. T. STEVENS.

MOLD.

APrLIoATIoN FILED MAY zo. 1902.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

Maarja@ T S 6J/@125' TH: Nonms grins co. wom-uws.. MswmcwN. c. r.

ive. 763,333.

UNITED STATES Patented June 21, 1904.

PATENT EETCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent N0. 763,333, dated June 21,1904.

Application filed May 20, 1902. Serial No. 108,190. (No model.)

To all wiz/0m it may concern:

Be it known thatI, MAURICE T. STEVENS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Harvey, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented new and useful Improvemonts in Molds, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to molds for forming building-blocks orartificial stone and other analogous devices; and the purpose of thesame is to provide a simple and effective organization of elementswhereby the molding operation may be expeditiously pursued andbuilding-blocks or artificial stone may be produced with ease andfacility.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of theseveral parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described andclaimed, and subject to a wide range of modiiication in the form,proportions, dimensions, and minor details of construction.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mold embodyingaplurality of cores. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of themold shown by Fig. l. Fig. Bis atransverse vertical section takenthrough the plane of one of the cores. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section ofa portion of one end of the mold. Fig. 5 is a transverse Verticalsection of the mold, illustrating a modification. Fig. 6 is a partiall ylongitudinal vertical section of the mold shown by Fig. 5. Fig. 7 isatransverse vertical section of a mold embodying avfurther modificationwhereby pressure is applied to.

both the bottom and top. Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section of amold embodying a still further modilication in the construction of thecore. l

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate correspondingparts in the several views. v y

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, the mold y comprisessuitable thin sheetmetal sides 1, a bottom 2, ends 3, removable endpartitions 4, having terminal angular iiangos 5, and a pressure-top 6,which is free to be movedor vibrated longitudinally for a purposcfwhichwill be presently explained. The one side 1 has a series of enlargedapertures T therethrough for the removable reception of tapering cores8, which are of greater length than the width of' the entire mold andare provided at their enlarged ends with gripping-pins 9 for engagementby a spanner or similar` device to remove or apply the said cores. Onveach of the cores is a flanged sleeve 10, provided with a set-screw 11,whereby the cores will be held in proper projected position in relationto the moldas an entirety and by means ofwhich also the Width of themold may be accommodated. The opposite end of each of the cores has asquared or angular shank 12 embedded therein and formed with aprojecting screw-threaded terminal 13. which engages a screw-threadedopening 14 in the opposite side and a stationary screw-plate 15 over thesaid aperture 14. By the use of the ends 3, varying in length, moldshaving different widths can be produced, and the cores 8 are constructedto accommodate this transverse adjustment. When the transverse extent ofthe mold is varied or changed, the sleeves 10 are correspondinglyshifted on the cores, so that the flanges thereof willbear against theouter surface of one of the sides 1 or that having the opening 7therein. The ends 3 are held in place during the assemblage of thelsides, bottom, and ends by suitable stop-strips 16 on the inner opposingfacesor surfaces on the opposite sides 1 adjacent tothe ends of thelatter. The end partitions 4 are held inwardly a distance within themold from the ends 3 bythe flanges 5, and at a certain time the saidpartitions are withdrawn from the mold. lThe top 6, as before indicated,is adapted to be vi-` brated longitudinally and also to exert downwardpressure on the plastic material or cement disposed within the mold. Theunder side of the said top is corrugated or otherwise shaped, as at 17,lto cause an ornamental surface to be formed on the molded block. Inapplying pressure to the top 6 for the purpose of rendering the materialwithin the mold homogeneous and equally dense many different methods canbe employed; but the simplest mode of doing this would beto applyweights to the said top, and thereby force the latter closely down onthe material within themmold which is used in the formation of thebuild- IOO ing-block. It will be seen that the mold is held in shape, orrather the parts are connected by the cores extending transverselytherethrough, and the purpose of these cores is to produce abuilding-block having Ventilatingopenings therethrough, which becomealined when the blocks are superimposed in erecting a wall. Thisconstruction of block also increases its strength and durability, and inthe initial method of forming the same the removal of the cores willfacilitate the drying out of the blocks, as air will be permitted tocirculate through the openings. The tapered form of the cores alsoassists in the removal of the same, as it will be understood that thegradually-reducing diameter of the said cores will be pulled through thegradually-enlarged portion of the openings in the molded block.

The form of the mold shown by Figs. 5 and 6 is similar mainly in allrespects to that just described, and like numerals are applied tocorresponding parts. The difference in construction in this form of themold resides in the means for securing the core. In this instance thecores 18 are tapered similarly to the cores 8, heretofore set forth, butare shorter and wholly confined between the inner opposing surfaces ofthe opposite sides 1 of the mold. Through the center of each core 18 andextending the full length thereof is an angular opening 19 to receivethe angular intermediate body portion of a tie-rod 20, having oppositescrewthreaded extremities 21, which are engaged by nuts 22 and 23. Thenuts 22 and 23 are applied against the outer faces or surfaces of thesides 1, and after the cores 18 are placed in their proper positions inthe mold, with the rod 2O therein, the nuts 22 and 23 are applied to theopposite screw-threaded extremities of the said rod, and all the partsof the mold are held intact or in firm assembled relation. In thisconstruction of core the rod 2O may be either removable from or fastenedin each core. In removing the cores from the mold in this form of thelatter the nuts are removed and the mold turned so as to bring theenlarged ends of the cores toward the bottom to shake out said cores orcause them to fall from the molded block.

The form of the mold shown by Fig. 7 is of the same construction as thatillustrated by Fig. l, with the exception that the top and bottom areadapted to be forced toward each other between the opposite sides. Thecore 24 in this instance is of tapered form and has an opening 25extending longitudinally through the center thereof to receive a tierod26, having a head 27 to bear against the outer face of one side l and anopposite screwthreaded extremity 28 to removably receive a nut 29 tobear against the opposite side 1. A number of these cores will be used,and it will be seen that in removing each one the nut 29 is detachedfrom the screw-threaded extremity of the rod 26, this operation beingeffected after the molded block is dried. The pressure devices comprisean upper pressurehead 30, which may be secured to the top, and has thelower end of a screw 31 swiveled therein and provided at its upper endwith a hand-wheel 32. The screw operates through the center of a yoke33, which has hooked terminals 34. Said hooked terminals are detachablyengaged by eyes 35 on the upper end of pressure rods or bars 36,depending to a point near the lower edges of t-he sides 1 and havinginturned angular ends 37, which extend through slots 38 in the sides 1and engage angular iianges 39 at the opposite ends of a lowerpressure-head 40. After the cement or other plastic material is placedwithin the mold, as shown by Fig. 7, the hand-wheel 32 is rotated toturn the screw 31, and through the medium of the connections set forththe upper and lower pressure-heads 30 and 40 are gradually drawn towardeach other and compress the material to be molded. When the materialbeing molded has been sufficiently pressed, the pressure rods or bars 36are disconnected by first releasing or loosening the screw 31, and theyoke 33, together with said screw and its hand-wheel 32, as well as thepressure-heads 30 and 40, is withdrawn from the mold proper, and afterthe molded block has dried out the cores will be removed, as beforeexplained.

In Fig. 8 a still further modification of the mold is shown,wherein thebottom, top, sides, and ends are similar to those shown by Figs. 1 and2. In this instance each of the sides is formed with an opening or aseries of the latter, as at 41, and the cores are constructed in twosections, 42 and 43, which taper inwardly toward their inner extremitiesand have outer ianges 44 to bear against the outer surfaces of the sides1, and are also provided with pins 45 for engagement by a spanner orother implement adapted for use in separating and withdrawing thecore-sections. The core-section 43 has an angular shank 46 embedded inthe center of the inner extremity thereof, which has a screw-stem 47 toengage a screwsocket 48 in the center of the inner extremity of thesection 42. In assembling each of the cores, as shown by Fig. 8, the twosections are drawn toward each other by the screwstem 47 engaging thescrew-socket 48,`and in removing the said core-sections the section 42will be detached from the stem 47 and drawn outwardly and the section 43afterward similarly withdrawn. It will be seen that the opening formedby the sectional cores 42 and 43 through the molded block willl be ofsubstantially hour-glass form, and as the reduced extremities of thesaid sections are pulled outwardly toward the enlarged openings in thesides normally occupied by the outer ends or extremities of the saidsections injury to the molded block will be obviated and the walls ofthe openings will be free from fracture.

IOO

IIO

The method pursued in each of thek molds set forth is substantiallysimilar in the essential steps, and consists mainly in disposing a layeror portion 64 of relatively dry cement or other plastic material on thebottoms of the molds shown by Figs. l to 8, inclusive. Again, if coresare not used in the forms of molds shown by Figs. l and 2, for instance,the whole interior of the mold will be free for the reception of thecement or plastic material. It will be understood, however, that thecores may be positioned previous to the introduction of the cement orplastic material in the molds disclosed by Figs. l-to 8, inclusive, andit will be obvious that so far as the practical effect of the steps ofthe method are concerned it is immaterial whether the cores be placed inposition before the layers or portions of cement or other plasticmaterial are introduced or not. After the-lower layer or portion 64C ofthe cement is disposed in either one of the molds shown a moistintermediate filling 65 of similar cement or plastic material is placedon the lower relatively dry layer or portion 64 of such material andclosely packed against the latter up to the openings for the cores inthe molds shown by Figs. l to 8, inclusive. The cores are then insertedand the parts of the mold firmly secured, and the filling 65 isgradually introduced between the cores and packed over the latter, andfinally a top layer or portion 66 of relatively dry cement or plasticmaterial is disposed over the filling 65, and pressure is then appliedto the whole mass to cause the moisture from the filling 65 to beabsorbed by the layers or portions 64C and 66 and facilitate the dryingout of the Inolded block, for example, and cause the plastic material asan entirety to closely adhere and become tenaciously homogeneous whendry and practieall y of the same degree of hardness and densitythroughout the entire block.

As has been set forth, the pressure can be applied to the top of themold or both to the top and bottom extremities, and after the mass ofcement or plastic material has been thoroughly pressed the forms of themolds having the cores therein will be relieved of said cores when theblocks have become sufiiciently dry, or at times said cores may beremoved while the blocks are loose or still hard enough to retain theirshape in order to permit the air to circulate through the openingsprovided in the blocks by the removal of the cores. When the cores areleft in the molds until the blocks are dry, very little obstruction willbe present to resist their removal in View of the tapered form of thecores, and after the cores are removed the sides and ends may beseparated and the block is free from the inelosing portions of the mold.

The general method has been explained wherein the salient features arepresent; but in addition to the steps pursued in forming the blocks theend partitions 4 are used and produce compartments at the opposite endsof the mold, which are also filled with quantities or end layers 67 ofrelatively dry cement or other plastic material of a nature similar tothat used in the formation of the block. After the mold is filled withthe plastic material in its two conditions these partitions 4 arewithdrawn and the relatively dry layers 67 at the end become united andpress against the upper and lower relatively dry layers and theintermediate filling and also facilitate the absorption of the excess ofmoisture in the said iilling When the pressure is applied to the mold inthe different ways set forth.

The improved method herein disclosed is economical, and a building-blockof practical form can be readily produced.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new isl.In a mold for forming devices from plastic material, the combination ofan inclosure, a series of cores removably mounted in the inclosure,collars adjustably held on the cores, and devices to hold the collars inadjusted position.

2. In a mold for forming devices from plastic material, the combinationof a surrounding inclosure composed of freely-separable parts, a coreextending transversely through the said inclosure, means carried by oneend of the core and coacting with means on the inclosure for holding theparts of said inclosure together, and a collar adjustably mounted on thecore and a set-screw'to hold the collar in adjusted position.

ln testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MAURICE T. STEVENS.

Witnesses:

P. I-I. CAREY, C. WV. STEVENS.

IOO

